Street art in Melbourne, Australia

Hope Hamashige

Melbourne, Australia, is emerging as an epicenter of street art. Bernadette Alibrando, of Walk to Art, has her finger on the pulse of the burgeoning scene. Alibrando leads tours that wend into and about the city's many "laneways" (Australia-speak for "alley") where artists post their works. Among the stops on the twice-weekly tour is the artist-run Citylights installation on Hosier Lane, where rotating exhibitions are displayed in lighted boxes for 24/7 viewing.

Melbourne, Australia, is emerging as an epicenter of street art. Bernadette Alibrando, of Walk to Art, has her finger on the pulse of the burgeoning scene. Alibrando leads tours that wend into and about the city's many "laneways" (Australia-speak for "alley") where artists post their works. Among the stops on the twice-weekly tour is the artist-run Citylights installation on Hosier Lane, where rotating exhibitions are displayed in lighted boxes for 24/7 viewing. (Hope Hamashige)

The citys art often has a topical edge. A lot of this is very here and now, says tour guide Bernadette Alibrando. Its about what is happening in the culture, what is happening in the world.

The citys art often has a topical edge. A lot of this is very here and now, says tour guide Bernadette Alibrando. Its about what is happening in the culture, what is happening in the world. (Hope Hamashige)